A silent smile spread across Andert’s face at the movement felt through his hand. But initially, he had frozen, not knowing what to do at the stronger-than-expected vibration.

Yet Chloe gently embraced even this awkwardness. She knew his reaction was simply due to unfamiliarity.

“It’s okay. I’m not in pain, so touch them. They say active movement means the babies are healthy and playing well. Here, did you just feel that? I think they like their dad.”

Everything is difficult at first.

Thanks to Chloe’s efforts, Andert soon came to enjoy these moments without needing much encouragement. Still, the idea of life growing inside her sometimes felt like a distant story.

‘Chloe and my children.’

He focused on the presence that approached with increasingly greater resonance.

As precious days accumulated, his bond with the unborn children deepened. He quietly imagined what they would be like several years later.

Daily life with children raised with love. While feeling the movements transmitted through his hand, he greeted them.

“Sleep well.”

After carefully kissing the rounded skin, Andert picked up a cushion. Then he habitually layered pillows and bedding to make it comfortable for Chloe to lie on her side.

Andert had watched from close proximity as her once flat stomach gradually swelled. When he saw Chloe embracing a belly so protruding it seemed burdensome to support, he felt both concern and an indescribable sense of fulfillment.

Chloe carrying his children.

It was clearly distinct from simple possessiveness or cloying conquest. It was closer to stability and satisfaction from an invisible additional bond with Chloe.

He kissed her already closed eyes. A faint smile spread across her clear bare face.

It was still a season when one tightened their collar against the chill of evening sunset. But on Chloe’s lips, smiling toward him even in her sleep, early spring flowers bloomed.

* * *

The labor that began Sunday afternoon continued even after daybreak. Faint screams intermittently emerged from the hospital room where the obstetrician was constantly present.

“Please don’t worry too much, Your Grace. The duchess is enduring bravely.”

The physician hurriedly left the reception room after this brief update. Andert, who had been pacing all night with just a wall separating him from Chloe, leaned his head against the cold wall.

“Andert.”

Chloe had called him yesterday afternoon, two days before her due date.

Walking leisurely in the garden, Andert immediately sensed the difference in her voice. But unlike himself, who was startled and flustered, Chloe remained calm until the moment they left the mansion.

She even reassured him while making sure the packed bag with hospital necessities wasn’t forgotten.

“Are you surprised? I’m fine.”

Though not intimately familiar with childbirth, he knew it wasn’t an easy process. Although Chloe had gone through pregnancy without morning sickness, as her belly grew, even turning over became difficult.

So it couldn’t be easy for a child to be born from that slender body. But he couldn’t be certain whether such prolonged labor was normal.

“Don’t worry, I endure everything well.”

Even before entering the hospital room, Chloe waved goodbye, saying she’d see him soon. That was precisely the problem. Because Chloe was too good at enduring everything.

But recalling the face that smiled for him until the end, he repeated to himself:

‘Nothing will go wrong, Chloe. You’ll be safe, and all the babies will be born healthy.’

Yes, that had to be the case.

But even that determination began to waver after noon passed. Meanwhile, Countess Declen, who had heard the news, visited the reception room.

“Your Grace, some mothers experience long labor. Chloe will certainly overcome this. Soon you’ll hear the strong cries of newborn babies, so please don’t worry too much.”

Countess Declen, who offered kind advice, gazed at the duke with warm eyes.

Andert wore his usual rigid expression, but his eyes were filled with concern for his wife. Now she too could understand why Chloe had chosen this man again.

‘It’s love.’

Duke Dietrich loved his wife, Chloe. And it was certain that his affection had deepened over time.

“Thank you for coming. Chloe will be delighted to see you.”

While delivering this formulaic greeting, Andert’s attention remained entirely focused on the hospital room beyond the wall. Noticing this, the countess didn’t linger long and left the reception room. She intended to wait in the prepared waiting room and return home after confirming Chloe’s safe delivery.

The children of the Duke and Duchess Dietrich.

That was the solid title the babies would have from the moment of birth.

Additionally, children growing up between parents who adored each other would live smooth lives. In a word, they were blessed by birth. Seated in the waiting room, she silently conveyed words to her departed friend.

‘Children born to Chloe will live chosen lives. Can you see how happy Chloe is? Fortunately, she seems to have a very good relationship with her husband. How wonderful. Andert Dietrich may not know much else, but he’s certainly a man who firmly protects what’s his, so there won’t be any unnecessary worries.’

It was quiet consolation offered to Chloe’s mother, who would have wished for her daughter’s happiness more than anyone in heaven.

* * *

The sun had already set outside the window. It had been a full day since Chloe had began her labor.

“Fortunately, the position of the fetuses isn’t bad. However, the cervical dilation is progressing much slower than expected.”

“Still, the duchess is enduring well.”

According to Doctor Harmen, who reported progress every few hours, it was a difficult delivery. Andert, who had been blankly staring at the clock well past midnight, rubbed his face vigorously.

He shouldn’t think negative thoughts. Nothing would go wrong with Chloe. It had to be that way.

But his firmly grasped composure soon crumbled helplessly.

“About our babies. Since they’re twins, they might look identical? It would be amazing to see tiny children with exactly the same faces.”

“You know, I’ve been thinking. Rather than both babies resembling us equally, if we have a son, I hope he looks more like you. Of course, if it’s a daughter, I’d prefer the opposite. What about you?”

“At what age would it be okay for babies to take long train rides? To go to Larcel, we’d need to be on a train for a full day. I should ask the doctor about this at the next appointment just to be sure.”

Memories accumulated night after night rushed in like a flood.

In that moment, feeling as if his throat was being constricted, he pulled down his neatly tied necktie. Unable to sit still for a while, he anxiously ran his hand through his hair.

Right now, he didn’t want to consider all possible scenarios. He clenched his fist tightly, trying to shake off the habit he had cultivated over many years. As his fingernails dug deeply into his skin from the strong pressure, a stinging sensation traveled up his fingertips. But the deep blue lake of Daloa invaded his mind in an instant.

Mia Garrel. The lake where the woman who sank into the water immediately after giving birth to him was said to be eternally asleep.

The day he visited that place for the first and last time, the calm ripples he had blankly stared at soon rushed toward him like turbulent waters.

Andert knew all this was futile fear stemming from psychological anxiety.

Chloe was not Mia Garrel. Unlike the woman who died unjustly after giving birth, Chloe was receiving professional care.

He clenched his teeth firmly to regain composure. The person suffering most right now was Chloe. He couldn’t allow himself to weaken when he could do nothing for her at this moment.

Time passed slowly. His eyes, which had been looking out the window where dawn was breaking, turned to the watch he had checked countless times.

6:10 AM.

By now, even the silence enveloping the empty reception room seemed to scrape at his taut nerves. He had left Roman behind, not wanting any commotion.

As Andert slowly clenched and unclenched his fist, he heard noise from the hospital room.

Perhaps the baby had finally been born. He listened intently, holding his breath. But what followed wasn’t a baby’s cry but a fairly loud voice that seemed to be calling Chloe.

Without time to think, he flung open the door and stepped out. He hoped desperately it wasn’t what he feared, but he had a bad feeling.

“What’s happening?”

Andert grabbed a nurse who had just left the hospital room and asked. Recognizing Duke Dietrich, she hesitantly pointed to the hospital room.

“Ah, the duchess fainted and didn’t regain consciousness for a while, so there was a brief commotion. Fortunately, she just woke up.”

Fainted?

Still gripping the cold doorknob, he barely managed to ask.

“Is my wife alright?”

“Yes. For details, Doctor Harmen will explain…… Ah! Here he comes.”

At the nurse’s words, Andert reflexively turned his head. Due to the white curtain covering the half-closed hospital door, nothing was visible.

The door soon closed completely, blocking his view.

“Your Grace. I was about to tell you……”

“Is my wife alright?”

He cut off Doctor Harmen’s words and asked again. The Dietrich family physician quickly answered after noting the duke’s pale complexion.